Upon reflection, and after unloading and stacking ~240 bales this afternoon with the assistance of my oldest daughter and Kevin from 3D Farm Products, I have come to the realization that there are few things more redundant than owning both a farm and a gym membership.
This is what 10,000lbs of hay looks like... notice the goats looking longingly at the trailer
That got me thinking more. People are shelling out good money for gym memberships… why not offer spa and fitness center services along with eggs and meat?
Meet one of our personal trainers as she demonstrates a Flying T signature move – the “45-lb dead-lift-and-heave.”
Step 1 - Select your Hay Bale
Step 2: Twist and Heave
Step 3: Follow Through
Some spas tout their “hot rock” treatments. At the Flying T, we find cold rocks do a better job of strengthening backs.
Our middle daughter’s favorite exercise is the double bucket lift.
Another oldie-but-goodie is firewood stacking (we also offer splitting mauls to mix aerobics into your strength routine).
The wheelbarrow haul is great for legs, arms, and shoulders, while also building core strength.
Looking for more of an aerobic workout? Chasing chickens beats windsprints any day.
No chickens were harmed in the filming of this blog
Another aerobic exercise we discovered last week was the midnight horse chase… to set it up, the kids need to forget to close the pasture gate. The rules for the exercise are that you have to be lying in bed and can’t start chasing the horses until you hear hoofbeats running past your window.
But wait, there’s more! Goat wrestling, fence pulling, horse saddling, hoof-picking, duck finding… we’ve got endless exercises to keep you trim and fit.
Don’t take a vacation, take a Fitness “Hay-cation!” Contact us today!
BTW, in all seriousness, if you need quality hay delivered in Vermont or New Hampshire, we highly recommend the Daly Brothers, Kevin and Marshall: 3dfarmproducts@gmail.com. In addition to their trailer (240 squares or 22 rounds), they also can deliver by the tractor trailer load (about 700 squares). We don’t get anything for referrals, but tell them the Flying T sent you… and ask them how they liked the jams!
One more note – lots of farmers in New England, including the Daly’s, lost crops or didn’t get much of a 2nd cut due to all the rain late this summer, but costs are still pretty close to last year. We’re still praying for all those down in the South and Southwest dealing with the drought. See our poll and tell us how much hay is going for in your neck of the woods!
A Joyful Birth
The Flying T Ranch Blog 
Posted by Dave Testerman on December 14, 2011 at 5:59 pm
Great idea!
Posted by apcrhodes on December 14, 2011 at 10:39 pm
Great post! Love the creativity! I’ll run right over – looking forward to the double bucket lift and the hay throw!
Alison
Posted by kristin on December 14, 2011 at 11:05 pm
If you REALLY want a workout, try moving our 100-110 pound bales during the summer here in Arizona…hefting those babies in a dry sauna! You’re lucky your bales are a bit smaller. I have to create special maneuvers to stack them, but I can get up to 4 bales high with no man help!
Posted by The Flying T Ranch on December 15, 2011 at 5:48 am
Kristin – there’s a few places that sell the big squares here, but no thanks! I’d heard small squares were up to $18 in AZ… hope you’re doing better than that!
Alison, c’mon over (and bring the family)!
Posted by Gail Perry on December 15, 2011 at 7:30 am
I’m going to be in need of a “hay-cation” after the holidays. We’re going to have to make a trip up to see you guys. OR, you guys can come here and we can use one of my visitor passes from my gym membership!
Posted by The Flying T Ranch on December 15, 2011 at 7:46 am
Gail,
We definitely need to get the families together one way or the other!
Posted by boodlesmom on December 15, 2011 at 1:21 pm
You are so funny and living the life I had as a kid baling hay! We may be embarking on raising chickens as an FFA project this spring and my daughter loved your pics!
Posted by jo-lyn on December 15, 2011 at 5:58 pm
just make sure yer liftin’ with yer legs!! 😉
Posted by yestheyareallmine on December 16, 2011 at 9:20 am
I was thinking the same thing! We worked very hard to get our vegetable gardens prepared for winter, and I am feeling it today. Who needs to lift weights when you can lift soil, compost, fencing, tools, fence posts, and wood? 🙂
Posted by Granny on December 16, 2011 at 8:27 pm
I read the first paragraph and immediately knew this article had to be included in this weekend’s review. In spite of all the lightheartedness, I imagine you sitting at the keyboard, writing this playful article with ease (because you clearly love your farm life) while all at once feeling totally exhausted. Though I would bet this sort of exhaustion is utterly rewarding and oddly energizing. Great post… again! Happy Holidays.
Posted by The Flying T Ranch on December 16, 2011 at 10:01 pm
Thanks again, Granny, for such kind words and including us. Hard work for a purpose often is a reward in itself!
Posted by Weekend Highlights – Noteworthy Articles by Fellow Bloggers – Dec 17, 2011 « Granny's Parlour on December 17, 2011 at 9:25 am
[…] read the first paragraph of The Flying T Spa, on The Flying T Ranch Blog, and immediately knew it should be included in this weekend’s […]
Posted by barefootinvt on December 30, 2011 at 10:52 pm
I love this post!! I know even from maintaining our 6 chickens and backyard garden we get a great workout. Yet another piece of evidence to show my husband in my case for buying and starting a farm!! Thanks for sharing. Now if you can perfect the perfect farm pedicure and facial you might just have a million dollar idea. Happy New Year.
Posted by The Flying T Ranch on January 1, 2012 at 4:37 pm
We have a kind of facial… it happens when you (or the person next to you) sling muck a bit too enthusiastically!
Posted by barnyarn on January 5, 2012 at 10:10 pm
I imagine the resulting grimace is also pretty effective at working the facial muscles!
Posted by barnyarn on January 5, 2012 at 10:04 pm
The summer we sold sweet corn from a roadside stand, I got mucho muscles by picking buckets full of corn and toting them to a trailer. Which gives me a great idea for my next article. Thanks!